Youth Growing and Raising Organics in Worcester

YouthGROW is an 8-week urban agriculture youth employment and leadership development program for 14-16 year old young adults that takes place in the Main South and Bell Hill neighborhoods of Worcester each summer.

Youth apply in April to participate in the summer program and are interviewed and selected by youth leaders who participated in the previous year’s program. Youth participants are paid for 8 weeks over the summer, up to 25 hours per week.

Program participants learn organic farming, participate in skill-building workshops, develop group projects and participate in youth empowerment and leadership development activities.

Youth are divided into 2 urban farm campuses, and each group works 3 days per week.during the program period. We work at the Oreanic Farm (on Oread St in Main South) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30am-3:30pm and at the Granby Rd Farm (in Bell Hill) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9:30am-3:30pm. Each Wednesday we go on a field trip to another farm or youth program to volunteer for the day and share experiences. There are also some additional support hours required each week for special events/clean-up/set-up.

We run our program by consensus which means that staff and youth participants have an equal say in program decisions. Youth input is highly valued and expected within the program.

We are always open to getting more people involved with YouthGROW through applying as a youth, interning, being seasonal staff or volunteering. Contact Casey Burns if you are interested.

YouthGROW Summer Program

Youth Mentors 2011 Application Now Available!

YouthGROW is hiring 3 youth mentors as well looking for interns who need credit or other explerience to work this summer from May-August 10-25 hours/week. Please help us spread the word! – See attached job description and internship description below and contact Casey Burns for questions or to apply

YouthGROW Late Spring/Summer Internship

YouthGROW is a 7 week summer intensive environmental justice, urban agriculture and life skills program and year round mentoring support network for youth ages 14-18 in 2 inner city neighborhoods of Worcester Main South and Bell Hill. We are looking for an intern to work with us for 10 hours/week during May and June and up to 25 hours/week in July and August. The YouthGROW intern will be responsible for working with program participants and staff in the spring to plan and structure the summer curriculum and to be on site 3 days/week to run the outdoor farming program. Previous experience with youth, environmental justice, urban agriculture, and the inner city is a plus but motivation and openness to new experiences, commitment and basic skills with computers and multi tasking are the only requirements. Contact Food Justice Program Director Casey Burns foodjustice@recworcester.org 508-799-9139 with questions or send your cover letter and resume by April 1st to apply.

To apply, download this form and email the completed application as an attachment to REC’s Food Justice Program Director, Casey Burns, at foodjustice@recworcester.org or 508-799-9139 or hand-delivery to Casey Burns at 9 Castle St. Apt 1.

Deadline for applications is April 8th.

A Typical Week at YouthGROW

Tuesday
9:30-10:15 Opening Discussion or Activity
10:15-12:00 Team Projects
12:00-12:45 Lunch
12:45-3:00 Farm Work
3:00-3:30 Closing Activity

Wednesday
Field trip to another farm or youth program

Thursday
9:30-10:15 Opening Discussion or Activity – Straight Talk every 2 weeks
10:15-12:00 Team Project
12:00-12:45 Lunch
12:45-2:00 Farm Work
2:00-3:30 Large Group Activity led by a Team Project and closing

Check out YouthGROW’s 2007 blog: click HERE!